Clinical Research Trials
Innovation is in our DNA.
As a research-focused organization, the Foundation serves as the operational backbone and centralized hub for all research activities at Semmes Murphey, providing comprehensive support that includes project management, budgeting, regulatory compliance, reporting, presentation, and publication assistance.
A unique and identifying factor is our independence from any hospital or academic institution. While this adds complexity to study start-up and management, it allows Semmes Murphey physicians to retain autonomy and remain focused on what is best for patients.
The Foundation manages a diverse and growing portfolio spanning all practice areas at Semmes Murphey and bringing innovative treatments and protocols to patients with degenerative spine conditions, neurologic diseases such as ALS and Alzheimer’s, and cerebrovascular disorders including stroke and aneurysm.
Since its inception, SMF has managed more than 128 clinical trials, attracted over $20 million in research funding, and enrolled hundreds of patients in innovative treatment protocols.
Please contact SMF-Research@semmes-murphey.com or use the form on this page.
Research Trials (current and recent)
ALZ-NET | Principal Investigator: Dr. Caitlin Brockenshire
ALZ-NET is a voluntary provider-enrolled patient network that collects real-world clinical and imaging data from people evaluated for or treated with new FDA-approved Alzheimer’s therapies, including treatments designed to slow disease progression and those that treat cognitive, behavioral, or neuropsychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Semmes Murphey is the only site in the Greater Memphis area with an active ALZ-NET registry, and one of only two sites in Tennessee.
ARTISSE | Principal Investigator: Dr. Violiza Inoa
The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and effectiveness of the Artisse™ Intrasaccular Device in the treatment of unruptured and ruptured wide-neck bifurcating intracranial aneurysms.
ASPIRE| Principal Investigator: Dr. Neha Kumar
ASPIRE is a randomized, double-blinded, phase III clinical trial designed to test the efficacy and safety of anticoagulation, compared with aspirin, in patients with a recent ICH and non-valvular AF. Seven hundred patients will be enrolled over 3.5 years and followed for study outcomes for a minimum of 12 months and maximum of 36 months.
CERIBELL-STROKE| Principal Investigator: Dr. Lucas Elijovich
The primary objective of the Ceribell STROKE trial is to acquire EEG data in suspected stroke patients, either before the diagnostic multimodal imaging (CT/MRI) or immediately following the imaging tests to detect potential EEG signals that differ among emergent large vessel occlusion stroke (ELVO), non-LVO, and non-stroke patients (stroke mimics).
CorEvitas - MGR-720| Principal Investigator: Dr. Tulio Bertorini
The objective of the registry is to create a cohort of myasthenia gravis subjects to evaluate long-term real-world safety and effectiveness of standard of care treatments for myasthenia gravis. Data collected through the registry may be used to address a range of research questions and use cases, including but not limited to: characterizing the natural history of the disease, evaluating the effectiveness and safety of commercially available medications for the treatment of myasthenia gravis, providing information to support ongoing risk-benefit evaluation by drug manufacturers and regulators, and research related to drug utilization, disease burden, and unmet needs
DiscGenics DGX-A02/A03| Principal Investigator: Dr. Michael LaBagnara
DGX-A02 is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, multicenter Phase 3 clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of IDCT in subjects with single-level, symptomatic mild-to-moderate lumbar (L3–S1) intervertebral disc degeneration. The trial is expected to enroll approximately 162 subjects and includes a 52-week primary period followed by a 52-week follow-up period (total 104 weeks).
DISTALS| Principal Investigator: Dr. Lucas Elijovich CLOSED TO ENROLLMENT
The objective of the randomized DISTALS Study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Tigertriever 13 Revascularization Device in restoring blood flow in the neurovasculature by removing thrombus in subjects presenting within 24 hours of onset with an ischemic stroke with disabling neurological deficits due to a primary distal vessel occlusion (DVO), as compared to medical management.
MIGRAINE| Principal Investigator: Dr. Violiza Inoa
A feasibility study to evaluate the initial safety and effectiveness of TRUFILL n-BCA Liquid Embolic System in middle meningeal artery embolization for the preventive treatment of refractory chronic migraine.